Dr. Clary to read from 'Dying for Beginners' Nov. 13

Sunday

Nov 11, 2012 at 2:00 AM

EXETER — Nationally acclaimed poet Dr. Patrick Clary will speak about end-of-life care and read from his book of poetry, "Dying For Beginners," at the Water Street Book Store Tuesday, Nov. 13 in celebration of National Hospice Month.

EXETER — Nationally acclaimed poet Dr. Patrick Clary will speak about end-of-life care and read from his book of poetry, "Dying For Beginners," at the Water Street Book Store Tuesday, Nov. 13 in celebration of National Hospice Month.

"Writing and reading poetry has always been both a way to connect with patients and a way to connect with the deeper parts of myself," said Clary, medical director at Rockingham Hospice and Palliative Care and founding director of Exeter Hospital's Palliative Care service.

Clary's poetry has been applauded by both the medical and literary communities.

Former U.S. Poet Laureate Donald Hall called Clary's poetry "suitable for mortals or anyone who loves them" and credited Clary's poetry for making "a beginner's journey into death as gentle as may be."

Clary, whose work as a hospice doctor was featured in the Sept. 23 issue of Seacoast Sunday (www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20120923-LIFE-209230317), served as a medic with the U.S. infantry in Vietnam, prior to his undergraduate and medical school years at Georgetown University.

He is board certified in family practice and in hospice and palliative medicine, and has been named as one of the best physicians in the state by New Hampshire Magazine every year since 2008. With the support of Exeter Hospital he has acted as a regional mentor for physicians and nurse practitioners seeking board certification in hospice and palliative care.

Clary first studied poetry at Georgetown University with former U.S. poet laureate, Roland Flint, who encouraged him to pursue medical training for the sake of both his patients and his writing.

Following medical school, Clary's initial work was in public health with dying patients in New York City during the early years of the AIDS epidemic, an experience that ultimately led him into hospice work.

"Hospice and palliative medicine is the most gratifying work I have ever done," Clary said. "I'm grateful that I found it, though in some ways it found me."

After five years as medical director of Seacoast Hospice, the state's first hospice agency, Clary moved on to Rockingham VNA Hospice, which has grown five-fold under his direction and is widely considered among the most advanced hospices in the state, as well as one of the few surviving nonprofit agencies doing this work in the region.

The poetry reading and hospice talk is 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Water Street Bookstore, 125 Water St., Exeter. Dr. Clary will sign copies of his book, available for sale at the bookstore. Refreshments will be served.

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